2013 Annual Report Henschke Catholic Primary School CONTACT DETAILS: PRINCIPAL: Mr Michael Jones ADDRESS: 105 Fernleigh Road Wagga Wagga PHONE: 02 69251870 WEBSITE: www.hpww.catholic.edu.au EMAIL: info@hpww.catholic.edu.au
The School Henschke Primary School motto is To Serve One Another in Love. This motto is actively displayed throughout the school by staff and families every day. The school has had many highlights throughout the year and this Annual Report is an account of the many areas addressed, attainments made and the achievements of our students and staff. Catholic Identity Henschke Primary School is the largest Coeducation Primary School in Wagga Wagga, located on top of the hill in Bourke Street. We are proud of our strong traditions and Foundations, as the Saint Maria Goretti School, founded by the Presentation Sisters in 1952, and the Bishop Henschke Boy s School founded by the Christian Brothers in 1962. We have grown from modest beginnings to our current enrolment of 556, and have many plans for the future development and growth of our school. Although the physical appearance of Henschke has changed significantly over the years, our core values remain the same. We aim to instill Catholic ethos and values into all and nurture each individual s talents and skills through our range of curriculum experiences and extra-curricular opportunities. Our school s Vision and Mission is very much at the heart of what we do. Our Vision Statement The Children of Henschke Primary will know that they are always loved by God and they will return that love in word and deed as they follow Jesus throughout their lives. Mission To achieve this vision the Henschke Primary School Community commits itself to being: A community of faith where the good news of God s everlasting love is proclaimed and our Catholic religion and faith traditions are taught and celebrated. A community of Christian witness, where gospel values form the basis for living and learning. A caring and inclusive learning community where diversity is respected and are supported to maximise their talents and achieve their potential. A community of service, playing an active part in shaping a better world by modelling and promoting the use of each other s gifts for the benefit of society. In 2013 we have continued to live-out and celebrate our uniqueness as a Catholic school within the Wagga Wagga Diocese. Religious Education The Sacramental life of the Parish and school has been strengthened with children in two grades, under the guidance of their dedicated and committed Sacramental Teachers, prepared for and receiving the Sacraments of RECONCILIATION and CONFIRMATION. The Teachers at Henschke consider it a privilege to assist and work with parents and our Priests in this important area. Last year we began the implementation of our new Sacramental Sequence under the guidance of our Parish Priest. Year 3 becomes the First Reconciliation class (from 2013) and Year 4 becomes the First Eucharist Class (from 2014). Confirmation remains the Sacramental focus for Year 6. The staff of Henschke had a Prayer and Reflection Day led by Father Paddy Sykes and Jane Plum from the Catholic Life Team. It was an inspiring, restful and reflective day. Our commitment to social justice is highlighted in our RE Units, our teaching perspectives and our faithfulness to financially supporting the Missions. Every class takes part in this on a weekly basis and it culminates with Mission Month in November. This year we raised over $3000 for Catholic Mission as well as supporting an orphanage in East Timor, Caritas and the Presentation Sisters Rural Outreach Program. Year 6 were able to attend a presentation of Global Village, an interactive performance which gives children a window into the lives of other countries and cultures. The vision and inspiration of the Presentation Sisters and their Foundress Nano Nagle, continues to inspire us as religious educators. The Sisters are always welcome visitors, faithful friends and enthusiastic VIP s at our Presentation Mass and celebration held each year in November. We had a wonderful roll-up of Sisters and former Principals who were able to share their story and the story of our school with the children. Mass is celebrated almost every week of the year with either a school Mass or a stage level Mass. Every Primary grade receives the Sacrament of Reconciliation each year. This year each primary class - 1 -
created beautiful Station of the Cross based around a common image of the Cross. These were then displayed in our School hall for all of Lent. As well, we celebrate our seasonable Paraliturgies and weekend Commitment Masses. Our students received outstanding results in the State RE tests with 11 High Distinctions, 24 Distinctions and 38 Credits. Every student has the opportunity to place the names of departed relatives and friends in our special Henschke Holy Souls book that is on display at the front of our Parish Church throughout November. With the help of our parents, we hope the children will continue to see the connection between the school and the Parish and that they will continue to live out our school vision with an active and spirit-filled Catholic life that reflects the unconditional love of our God. A Message from key School Bodies SCHOOL COUNCIL The School Council supports the mission of Catholic education in the local community. It works closely with the School Executive and Parish Priests to ensure the wellbeing of students and provide direction to the school. The Council is another expression of our school motto To Serve One Another in Love. The main areas in which the School Council has responsibility to advise on (and where appropriate endorse) are: Supporting the development of the Catholic ethos in the school. Promoting the school in the local community. Developing capital and maintenance programs. Developing local strategic plans (finances, buildings, resources and contributing to Diocesan educational strategic planning). Developing the school fee structure and annual budget. During 2013 the Council s major activities were: Relocating the Kindergarten classroom Introducing digital newsletters Removal of trees in front of the office Construction of a new tennis shed. Challenges for 2014 include: Completion of the new school entrance including signage around school grounds. Upgrade of telephone system Upgrading of the school oval Capital Improvements Over recent years Henschke has completed some significant projects that have improved classroom environments and whole school facilities. Some of these are: Infants Classroom refurbishment, Year 3 classroom replacement, Multi Purpose Hall and associated works funded by the BER scheme (2009) (BER) Year 3 classroom, music room, religious education room, COLAs (covered outdoor learning areas) and school hall Drainage infants (2011) Upgrade of grounds (2011) Bus shelter & paving (2011) Boundary fencing (2012) Synthetic grass in Infants quad (2012) Plumbing repairs to Primary verandahs (2012) Tree removal and turf (2012) Through the generosity of the parish, parents and local trades-people and the school working bees a significant amount of maintenance work has been completed and continues to be worked on. The school is, currently in a sound position in terms of the condition of its buildings, whilst challenges lay ahead, many of the big ticket items have been addressed and the hard work of the maintenance committees can be seen. The five year maintenance plan allows this work to continue through specific working bees and maintenance work paid from the school budget. The Council would like to acknowledge the efforts in fundraising by the Parents and Friends Association. The Council would also like to acknowledge the outstanding administrative support it receives from school Office staff and the support to the school made by Father Paddy Sykes and parishioners of the Parish of Our Lady of Fatima, South Wagga Wagga. P & F REPORT The P & F has enjoyed a very successful 2013, both financially and socially. Our fundraising activities including Tuck Day, School Fete, Mock Wedding, Pie Drive, Mufti Day, and the student discos were all well supported. - 2 -
Providing opportunities for social interaction, with the hope of encouraging a strong school community, has also been a major focus this year. The parents social evening and welcome night for new families was hosted by the Parish and school and was well supported. Involving more parents in the P & F meetings held once a month, proves to be an ongoing challenge. The P & F executive are investigating ways to meet and beat this situation and look forward to another great year in 2014. Achievements in 2013 Relocation and refurbishment of a Kindergarten classroom. Refurbishment in the Administration building Upgrading technology for classroom use. Student Outcomes in Standardised National Literacy and Numeracy Testing In 2013 the female students in year 5 have shown improvement in Grammar and Punctuation. In year 3 the female students scored above average in Reading. Yr 5 boys have been challenged in the areas of Writing and Reading. In evaluating NAPLAN results our school has developed a plan to address other specific target areas within the school to enable sustained improvement. Professional Learning Throughout 2013 the focus for professional development was centred around the familiarisation and implementation of the National Curriculum. During the year the staff had time to develop their knowledge of the content in English and spend time planning with school and Diocesan colleagues within this Key Learning Area. The teaching staff also continued to embed the First Steps in Writing and Mathematics resources into their classroom practice and worked with colleagues to further improve pedagogy in the Literacy area. All staff participated in a Spirituality Day to build on and deepen understandings of the Catholic Faith and individuals relationships with God. Teaching Staff The NSW government requires that this report detail the number of teachers in each of the following categories: A) Have teaching qualifications from a recognised higher education institution within Australia B) Have qualifications from a recognised higher education institution within Australia but no formal teacher education qualifications C) Have relevant successful teaching experience and appropriate knowledge but no formal teacher qualifications. A B C TOTAL 33 0 0 33 Workforce Composition Henschke employs 33 qualified teachers, of which three are male. We also have a clerical staff of three females and five female teacher assistants. The majority of our workforce is employed on a full time basis with four people in job share situations and several others in a less than full time capacity. Two percent of the staff employed at Henschke are Indigenous Australians with the remaining 98% of the workforce from non-indigenous backgrounds. Student Attendance Year Attendance % Kinder 90.65% Year 1 92.28% Year 2 91.67% Year 3 92.69% Year 4 91.75% Year 5 92.42% Year 6 91.29% Student Non-Attendance Student non-attendance is managed at Henschke Primary by: Recording in SAS system absentees on a daily basis. If a student is absent for an extended period of time, families are contacted. Partial absences are recorded in the book at the School Office. Requests from families for extended periods away from school are sent to the Principal for approval. Enrolment Policy Henschke Primary School/s Enrolment Policy aims to provide equitable prioritising of enrolment applications and to ensure that the requirements of State and commonwealth legislation are met. Our Enrolment Policy is supported by the Catholic Schools office - 3 -
Enrolment Policy. Characteristics of the Student Body Boys Girls Indig LOTE* TOTAL 283 272 11 59 555 *Language background Other Than English Structure of Classes In 2013, Henschke Primary School had three streams from Kindergarten to Year 6. School Policies Discipline Policy This policy aims to: Make explicit the links between the school s vision and mission and the systems of behaviour management operating within the school. Assist teachers as they work to support, develop and maintain students ability to make responsible behaviour choices Clarify processes and procedures to be used to manage irresponsible or inappropriate behaviour choices. Provide a clear and accountable framework for communicating behaviour expectations and management strategies to all stakeholders. Student Welfare The Pastoral Care Program aims to: Enhance positive relationships and connectedness across the whole school community by promoting mutual respect, communication, security and well-being. Recognise and nurture approaches to learning and teaching, across all curriculum areas, which endorse pastoral care. Coordinate and link policies and programs within the school with a particular focus on pastoral care. Chaplaincy Program The School Chaplain assists on both the spiritual and emotional levels of the human person, and will provide pastoral care, general religious and personal advice, and comfort and support in difficult times to students, staff and families seeking it, irrespective of their religious beliefs. Specific areas that may be addressed throughout the year include social issues such as difficulties in relationships; economic and community dislocation, hardship or dysfunction; drought or natural disasters; and critical incidents such as accident, illness or bereavement. The school s Chaplain undertakes their work in a manner that is consistent with the values and teachings of the Catholic Church. Complaints and Grievances The School s Complaints and Grievances Policy aims to support and encourage the ongoing development of positive relationships. It provides a positive, clear and effective processes for resolving grievances between the school and community members assists in the building of strong relationships, dispels anxiety, and ultimately provides students with an enhanced learning environment. Changes to School Policies Henschke Primary School took part in Registration in 2009 and since then no changes have been required to school policies. Improvement Targets Successful Professional Development in the First Steps Writing and Mathematics programs The Making Jesus Real program was successfully embedded within the school. The inclusion of technology to enhance learning was strongly promoted. Initiatives Promoting Respect and Responsibility Henschke have adapted the Making Jesus Real program to cater for all students from Kindergarten to Year Six. The program enhances the ability in students to build a welcoming and encouraging environment within the school for all members of our community. It also provides opportunities for us to reinforce the need to be thankful and to be comfortable in saying sorry when we make mistakes. All staff have been in-serviced in the program and parents and new families beginning at the school are also given and introduction in the core beliefs. These two programs work very effectively side by side supporting each other and consolidating the values and attitudes embedded in our school. Peer Support The Peer Support program is run every year throughout the school. Year 6 students are trained as leaders at the beginning of the school year, then once a week the whole school from K-6 meet in small groups with the Year 6 leaders conducting the groups. - 4 -
School Buddies All Henschke Primary School students are involved in a buddy system, eg Kindergarten and Year 6 students; Year 1 and Year 5 and they meet regularly for organized activities. The older students normally help with younger students with craft activities, and the younger students also enjoy having an older student who is looking after them especially on the playground. Kindergarten Orientation Our orientation to school for 2014 Kindergarten children began in Term 2, 2013, when school tours were conducted for prospective new students and families. Interviews for all prospective 2014 Kindergarten children and their parents were held during Term 3. In Term 4, an Information Evening for parents was held, followed by an orientation morning for the new Kindergarten children. The children spent the morning with a 2013 Kindergarten buddy and enjoyed the atmosphere of the classroom environment. The children are then welcomed back for a Come and Play transition to school afternoon to help them prepare for the beginning of the new school year. Students I am usually happy at {school name here}. Strongly Agree Disagree Strongly Agree Disagree 75% 25% 0% 0% Staff I am usually happy at {school name here} Strongly Agree Disagree Strongly Agree Disagree 80% 20% 0% 0% Financial Statement Summary 62% 0% 0% School Income 18% 20% Fees & Private Income State Recurrent Grants Commonwealth Recurrent Grants Government Capital Grants Other Capital Income School Expenses Restorative Justice Restorative Justice is deep seated in our behavior management at Henschke Primary School. All students and staff are treated in a restorative manner. The spirit of the school stems from God being a forgiving God and all staff are trained to assist students and each other to resolve disputes in a respectful manner. 18% 1% 80% Salaries, Allowances & Related Expenses Non Salary Expenses Other Capital Expenditure Community Satisfaction The following information has been provided to the school. It has been a valuable gauge for determining the level of satisfaction the community has with our school. Parents My child (son or daughter) is usually happy at {school name here} Strongly Agree Disagree Strongly Agree Disagree 70% 30% 0% 0% About This Report The Henschke School Principal, Assistant Principal, Coordinators and teachers with areas of special responsibility have contributed to Henschke Primary School 2013 Annual Report. We also acknowledge the Chairs of our School Council and P & F for their contributions. - 5 -